Overview

The Danakil Desert is located between the Ethiopian plateau and the Red Sea. The salt plain near Dallol is the lowest part at 116 metres below sea level. In prehistoric times, the territory was in the form of a gulf. According to geologists, this is a sea bed that emerged for a brief moment in the history of the planet; the Afar depression will in fact form a future ocean with the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

This geological anomaly means that the entire area is very unstable. There are numerous active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes, together with secondary manifestations such as the stupendous colors of the salt surfaces, caused by the geysers with their various different chlorides. This inhospitable territory is home to nomadic sheep-herding Afar people.

This tribe has a strong sense of its own identity and enjoys a notable degree of autonomy in its land. The Afar live from their animals, agriculture and the sale of salt that they extract from the salt lakes of the Danakil depression. The salt is loaded onto camels and sold in the markets of the highlands.

The Dallol (Danakil) Depression

Dallol is at the northernmost extension of the [Great] Rift Valley. It is below sea level and acts like a cauldron, trapping all the heat.

Dallol is a field of phreatic craters in the barren salt plain NNE of the Erta Ale Range in one of the lowest (and hottest) areas of the desolate Danakil depression.

The Dallol craters are the Earth's lowest known subaerial volcanic vents. The most recent of these craters, Dallol, was formed during an eruption in 1926. Colorful hot brine springs and fumarolic deposits are found in the Dallol area.

This is a desert with some areas that are more than 116 meters (328 feet) below sea level. This is special because it is one of the lowest points on earth not covered by water. There are hot yellow sulfur fields among the sparkling white salt beds. Heat isn't the only thing people feel in the Dallol Depression. Alarming earth tremors are frequently felt. There are also several active volcanoes.

Weather wise, the hottest places on earth are the Dallol Depression in Ethiopia and Death Valley in California.

Temperatures can reach as high as 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) in the sun, and top 93° Fahrenheit (34° Celsius) every day of the year. In the summer, not a single day dips below 104° Fahrenheit (40° Celsius). Dalol holds the record for the highest average annual temperature.

4 Nights/ 5 Days

Title: Danakil Depression & Ert' Ale

Tour Code: SET 007

Duration: 4 Nights/ 5 Days

Means of Transport: Flight &Drive

Description: It is the highlight of the Danakil Depression and afar people.

Day 1: Morning flight to Mekele, our company representative will pick you from Mekele Airport and drive to Ahmed Ella. Take entrance permit and police from Berhaile, the gate of Afar region and overnight in local hotel.

Day 2: Proceed to Ert Ale via Kursewad , take police again and drive to Waydoom. After having dinner we will trek about 3 ½ hours to arrive in the calderas of the volcanic mountain of Ert’Ale, active volcano. Spend two/ three hours visiting the volcano, take some rest Overnight camping.

Day 3: Early morning descend Ert ale, have your breakfast at Waydodom where the base of the area and drive to Ahmed Ella o/n local hotel.

Day 4: Early morning visit Dallol Depression, the bubbling sulfuric acid, Lake Asale which is full of salt, the salt extracting area, camel caravan, and afternoon drive to Mekele.

Day 5: Morning flight to Addis Ababa, city tour in Addis including Mount Entoto, national Museum, the resting place of our famous LUCY, Merkato, the biggest open market in Africa, monuments and souvenir shopping.

6 Nights/ 7 Days

Title: Danakil Depression & Ert' Ale

Tour Code: SET 008

Duration: 6 Nights/ 7 Days

Means of Transport: Drive

Description: It is the highlight of the Danakil Depression and afar people.

Day 2: Drive to Afdera and obtain the local permit and Afar guide. Visit Lake Afdera overnight camping in the beach side of Lake afdera, enjoy the hot spring o/n camping .

Day 3: Proceed to Ert Ale via Kursewad , take police again and drive to Waydoom. After having dinner we will trek about 3 ½ hours to arrive in the calderas of the volcanic mountain of Ert’Ale, active volcano. Spend two/ three hours visiting the volcano, take some rest Overnight camping.

Day 4: Early morning descend Ert ale, have your breakfast at Waydodom where the base of the area and drive to Ahmed Ella o/n local hotel.

Day 5: Early morning visit Dallol Depression, the bubbling sulfuric acid, Lake Asale which is full of salt, the salt extracting area, camel caravan, and afternoon drive to Mekele.

Day 6: Drive to Kombolch through the marvelous mountain side, visit the Tigris, Amhara peoples way of life.

Day 7: Drive to Addis Ababa over viewing the shewan plateau, the Great rift Valley from Gemassa Gedel, cross the Tarmaber Tannel , arrive in Addis attend farewell dinner and it will be end of the tour.

9 Nights/ 10 Days

Title: Danakil Depression & Ert' Ale

Tour Code: SET 009

Duration: 9 Nights/ 10 Days

Means of Transport: Drive

Description: It is the highlight of the Danakil Depression and afar people.

Day 1: Drive to Harar on the way visit the Oromo, Afar tribes. Enjoy the scenery after Asebe Teferi o/n hotel.

Day 2: Full day visit the walled city of Harar including the hyena man who feed the hyena with his mouth.

Day 3: Drive to Awash. P.M Safari tour in Awash National park and visit Beyessa oryx, Some ring gazelle, dik dik, Kari Bustard which is endemic bird and Hamadrisa Baboon visit also the Awash Falles o/n hotel/Lodge inside the park.

Day 5: Drive to Afdera and obtain the local permit and Afar guide. Visit Lake Afdera overnight camping in the beach side of Lake afdera, enjoy the hot spring o/n camping.

Day 6: Proceed to Ert ‘Ale via Kursewad , take police again and drive to Waydoom. After having dinner we will trek about 3 ½ hours to arrive in the calderas of the volcanic mountain of Ert’Ale, active volcano. Spend two/ three hours visiting the volcano, take some rest overnight camping.

Day 7: Early morning descend Ert ale, have your breakfast at Waydodom where the base of the area and drive to Ahmed Ella o/n local hotel.

Day 8: Early morning visit Dallol Depression, the bubbling sulfuric acid, Lake Asale which is full of salt, the salt extracting area, camel caravan, and afternoon drive to Mekele.

Day 9: Drive to Kombolch through the marvelous mountain side, visit the Tugris, Amhara peoples way of life.

Day 10: Drive to Addis Ababa over viewing the shewan plateau, the Great rift Vallye from Gemessa Gede, cross the Tarmaber Tannel , arrive in Addis attend farewell dinner and it will be end of the trip.